In a significant stride toward Pakistan’s digital transformation, the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecom (MoITT), alongside the Ignite National Technology Fund and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), recently launched the Pakistan Digital Sector Roadmap. This new initiative aligns with the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Digital Pakistan initiative, marking an important milestone in the country’s technological and economic progress.
The unveiling of the Digital Sector Roadmap took place during a two-day event that also featured the announcement of the winners of the AI Wrapper Competition 2025. The competition, which forms part of the Digital Pakistan initiative, recognized emerging AI talent and highlighted the country’s growing capabilities in artificial intelligence. More than 1,700 teams from 106 cities across Pakistan participated in the competition, with a notable 33% female participation, showcasing the diverse talent pool in the country. The winning teams, which developed AI-driven solutions addressing national challenges, were awarded a total of Rs 8.7 million in prize money.
The competition was held in five thematic areas—EdTech, HealthTech, Climate/AgriTech, GovTech, and FinTech—reflecting Pakistan’s national priorities. By fostering innovation in these sectors, the AI Wrapper Competition plays a key role in translating the goals of the National AI Policy 2025 into practical, real-world applications that can drive socio-economic development.
The National Workshop on AI Use Case Development also took place as part of the event, where experts from government, academia, and the private sector collaborated to design AI solutions that address critical national needs. These discussions were centered around sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture, finance, and governance. The outcomes of the workshop will inform the development of the National AI Innovation Hub (NAIIH), a key component of Pakistan’s strategy to foster AI research, commercialization, entrepreneurship, and digital capacity building. This hub is envisioned to act as a national ecosystem for applied AI, further contributing to Pakistan’s digital economy.
In her address during the launch event, Federal Minister for IT and Telecom, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, emphasized the strategic importance of the Digital Sector Roadmap, noting that it represents a major step towards achieving a connected, competitive, and future-ready Pakistan. “This roadmap is a strategic step for a connected, competitive, and future-ready Pakistan,” she said. “It aligns with our vision of a Digital Nation, where technology drives inclusive growth, transparency, and innovation across every sector.”
The Digital Sector Roadmap sets a bold vision for the country’s digital future, aiming to create a digitally empowered, connected, and inclusive Pakistan by 2035. The roadmap is structured around four key pillars: Digital Infrastructure, Digital Economy, Digital Governance, and Digital Society. It is aligned with two important policy frameworks—Uraan Pakistan 2024–2029 and the Digital Nation Pakistan Act 2025—both of which are central to Pakistan’s ongoing push to modernize its economy and society through technology.
Dr. Antonio García Zaballos, Director of the Digital Sector Office at ADB, expressed his support for the roadmap, highlighting the importance of Pakistan’s efforts to build inclusive, resilient, and innovation-led growth. He praised the comprehensive approach outlined in the roadmap, noting ADB’s commitment to supporting the country’s digital infrastructure, economy, and governance.
The event also highlighted the government’s commitment to implementing the National AI Policy 2025 and establishing the National AI Innovation Hub (NAIIH) as a focal point for AI research and development. Ignite CEO Rafique A. Buriro reinforced this message, explaining that initiatives like the AI Wrapper Competition and the NAIIH aim to build an ecosystem that facilitates collaboration between startups, researchers, and the government to create real-world AI applications.
With these efforts, Pakistan is positioning itself as a key player in the global digital economy, empowering its youth and entrepreneurs to innovate and solve pressing national challenges through technology. The ongoing collaboration with international partners like ADB ensures that Pakistan remains on track to realize its vision of a digital future powered by AI and cutting-edge technologies.
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